We are going to Cancun in November and have been told we need mexican auto insurance for our rental care. It appears we can buy it online or wait until we get to the airport. I am wondering if anyone can recommend which way is better or whether it makes any difference at all (online purchase or in person). Thanks.

First of all - I wouldn't rent a car in Cancun unless you REALLY need it. The tourist buses in the hotel zone will get you anywhere in the city that you would want to go for about 65 cents a trip [7.5 pesos I think]. Although they may be horror stories, US travelers have been known to be hit up by unscrupulous local police in the countryside for a "traffic violation" that may or may not be real but can be bought off for money. Every hotel runs the same tours to Chichen Itza, Tulum, Xcaret, etc - so you really don't need a car to get to any of those places.

Second, if you really need a car, check out your credit card first. Many gold or platinum credit cards offer rental car insurance, and in the US it is secondary to your regular car insurance, but in many international destinations, it is primary - why buy extra insurance if this is already a benefit of your credit card. Some countries are so risky, even your credit card won't cover it - so check first.

Third, check with your auto club [like AAA] or regular car insurance carrier - they may be able to write you a rider on your regular policy that is cheaper and more reliable than anything you buy down there.

Okay, first off, ignore tigerhawk --- he's full of bull.

Credit card "insurance" and AAA insurance are about as useful to a motorist in Mexico as a handful of shredded toilet paper. (They sure ain't gonna keep you out of jail if you have an accident and a cop demands to see your Mexican insurance certificate).

In any case, don't sweat the buying insurance gig. It's really only a concern for people driving private cars from the U.S. into Mexico.

For rentals, you won't be able to buy online anyway (except for checking off insurance options when you reserve your rental cars) because you won't have the right info (like VIN numbers, current market value of vehicle, etc.)

When you rent the car, just take the insurance options that you're comfortable with.

And by the way, Cancun is a GREAT place to rent a car because you can zip down to the highway on your own to Tulum, Xcaret, Coba etc., or on out to Chichen-Itza on *YOUR* schedule, staying as long as *YOU* want. You can pop off the road to the small undiscovered beaches that hotel tour buses don't visit. Driving in the Yucatan is generally EASY, especially the route south of the Cancun hotel district towards Tulum --- it's all smooth, divided highway.

Have fun!
Mark
www.tiogringo.com

last post above works great and is correct

Tio is correct. Take the advice.

I'm with Tio re: above- This doesn't have to do with rentals but, one comment to avoid confusion if people are thinking of driving to Mexico- AAA does sell Mexican car insurance for your personal car, but not for rentals. I found this handy when I lived in Texas so I didn't have to mess around at the border. They also help get all the paperwork ready so you can breeze through getting your vehicle permit once in Mex.

Dude, thanks for the info re: AAA. I'll have to look into this and see how their rates stack up.

I've been recently buying online from Oscar Padilla and am generally happy. Used to stop in Laredo and buy from the guys in the Aduana, but Padilla's rates are running about half the price.

See ya!
Mark

Well Tio, I have no idea if the rates are good or not. But, it was super easy when we lived in Austin, we got the insurance and paperwork at AAA, then when we corssed at Nuevo Laredo we just drove straight to the office to get the vehicle permit and were on our way.

I have "full coverage" (a different concept in MX) from Oscar Padilla on an '02 Subaru WRX Wagon for $426. a year.
The required Liability Ins. is about $150. a year as I recall, but you can check their web site for a quote.
I don't think they cover rentals, but they have been in business for 50 years so I think they are reliable.
M

Actually, the liability ins (all of Mexico) is $188. a year.
M

Well, I finally got back to this. Thanks for all the information. I forgot that driving into Mexico is different than renting in Mexico so that was really helpful. I am sure that Hertz will be doing its best to sell us all insurance options. In the US, I always waive it because of credit care coverage. I am not sure what to do about that in Mexico. Any advice would be helpful. Also, we are staying at the Akumal Beach Resort. If anyone knows about this place and has any thoughts, that would be great. Thanks again.